ATLANTA — Spelman College, the renowned historically Black liberal arts college for women, has appointed Dr. Ayanna Howard as its 12th president. The announcement marks a significant step for the institution as it seeks to blend its strong liberal arts tradition with cutting-edge preparation for an AI-driven future.
Dr. Howard, currently the dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University (where she holds the Monte Ahuja Endowed Dean’s Chair), will assume the role on August 1, 2026. She succeeds Interim President Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, who has led the college since the 2024 resignation of former President Helene Gayle.
With robot dogs patrolling Atlanta parking lots now, the hire makes sense. Keep reading to learn more about Dr. Howard.
Spelman College Names Roboticist Ayanna Howard President
“I believe in AI. I believe in robotics. I believe in the benefits just like I believe in education and the limitless potential of the next generation of diverse engineers,” Howard has said.
A Trailblazer in Robotics and AI
A nationally recognized roboticist, artificial intelligence expert, entrepreneur, and educator, Dr. Howard brings an extraordinary breadth of experience to Spelman.
“As a child, I wanted to build a bionic woman,” she wrote in an essay. “I identified robotics as the one field that could allow me to do that… It was the idea of using robotics to save the world, while still being a human, that interested me.”
Her career includes work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1993–2005), where she served as a senior robotics researcher and deputy manager in the Office of the Chief Scientist. She later held leadership roles at Georgia Tech, including chair of the School of Interactive Computing and founder/director of the Human-Automation Systems Lab.
In 2013, she founded Zyrobotics, a Georgia Tech spin-off company that develops mobile therapy and educational products for children with special needs, leveraging her research in human-centered robotics. She also co-founded Black in Robotics, an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the field.
Howard’s appointment is seen as a powerful signal for empowering Black women in STEM. Her vision aligns closely with Spelman’s mission: preparing students to lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving technological landscape while honoring the college’s 145-year legacy of academic excellence and leadership development for Black women.
Deep Personal and Institutional Ties
Dr. Howard has longstanding connections to Spelman. Her mother taught at the college, and Howard herself served as the first outside funder for Spelman’s SpelBots robotics team, which has competed internationally. She has expressed deep enthusiasm for returning to Atlanta and contributing to the institution that shaped so many leaders.
“I am excited for this opportunity to serve the students, faculty, and staff at Spelman College as their new president,” Howard said in a statement. “I want to thank the incredible community at Ohio State and in the College of Engineering for the success we have achieved together.”
Interim President Rosalind Brewer and Ohio State leadership praised the appointment. Brewer and the Board of Trustees highlighted Howard’s brilliance as a leader, while Ohio State’s interim executive vice president and provost, Trevor Brown, wished her “tremendous success.”
Vision for the Future: Liberal Arts Meets Technology
Howard aims to strengthen Spelman’s ability to address the tech challenges ahead by integrating liberal arts education with innovation in robotics, AI, and human-centered technology. This approach represents a departure from Spelman’s traditional focus, but many see it as a strategic evolution for producing graduates ready to shape an increasingly automated world.
Reactions and Some Concerns
The appointment has been widely celebrated by the Spelman community, alumni, and STEM advocates who view Howard as a role model for young Black women. However, a small number of voices have raised concerns about AI’s societal impacts, tying into broader local and national debates about technology, ethics, and community effects.
Overall, the selection of Dr. Ayanna Howard signals Spelman College’s commitment to innovation while staying rooted in its core values of empowerment, excellence, and service. As she steps into the role this August, the institution looks forward to a new chapter under her leadership.
More From AtlantaFi.com: